Polishing machine with aerosol dispenser



Oct. 16, 1962 P. RACHLIN 3,058,136

POLISHING MACHINE WITH AEROSOL DISPENSER Filed June 24, 1960 mmvron. V PHHJP RACHLI N 1% Q2 M H.

ATTORNEY 3,058,136 Patented Oct. 16, 1962 rile 3,058,136 POLISHING MACHINE WITH AEROSOL DISPENSER Philip Rachlin, Havertown, Pa., assignor to Eastern Research Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed June 24, 1960, Ser. No. 38,573 12 Claims. (Cl. -50) This invention relates to a polishing machine with aerosol dispenser, and more particularly, to a polishing machine having an aerosol container of Wax mounted thereon and a means for selectively dispensing the wax onto a floor adjacent the polishing machine in the form of an aerosolized foam.

Various types of polishing machines having a container of wax or cleaning fluid mounted on the machine have been proposed heretofore. The Terry Patent 2,333,829 and the Grayson Patent 1,738,993 are exemplary of the devices used heretofore. Each of these patents disclose a container for a liquid to be dispensed on the floor adjacent a polishing machine, wherein the operator of the machine must manually provide the pressure for dispensing the cleaning fluid. In each of these patents, the cleaning fluid is dispensed in the form of a liquid spray. These devices have certain drawbacks and have not proved to be entirely satisfactory.

It has been found desirable to provide a polishing machine with a container of wax which can be selectively dispensed onto the floor adjacent the polishing machine in a manner which does not interfere with the careful manipulation of the machine by the operator. In addition, the polishing machine should be provided with a container of wax which will enable the machine to remove scufi? marks and dispense a wax on a portion to be polished while the adjacent portion of the floor is being polished. Also, the wax should be of such a nature so that it dries immediately thereby enabling the floors in congested buildings such as department stores, railroad stations, office buildings, etc. to be polished while the buildings are in use by personnel. Heretofore, it has been conventional to clean and polish floors in congested buildings during the evening hours so as not to interfere with the activities being carried on within these buildings.

It is desirable to provide a polishing machine which is capable of cleaning and polishing floors in the home, in oflice buildings, in factories, etc. by using a single wax so that the floor may be cleaned and polished simultaneously. In addition, the wax should be of such a nature so that the polishing machine will provide a continuous film of Wax on the floors instead of a series of minute spots. The wax should be provided Within a contaner so that it may be dispensed with a minimum of effort on the part of the operator of the polishing machine.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel polishing machine with an aerosol wax dispenser thereon.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a polishing machine capable of polishing floors without interfering with the activities being carried on within the building in Which said floors are located.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a polishing machine with an aerosol dispenser which takes advantage of the vibratory motion generated by a motor on said machine.

It is still another object of the present invention to pr vide a polishing machine with an aerosol dispenser capable of dispensing Wax in the form of aerosolized foam.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a polishing machine with an aerosol Wax dispenser having a nozzle positioned at a remote point from the container for the wax.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown in the drawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the polishing machine of the present invention.

FIGUREZ is a sectional view taken along the lines 2--2 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a partial plan view of the polishing machine of the present invention disclosing the position of the dispensing nozzle.

FIGURE 4 is a partial top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIGURE 1 a polishing machine designated generally as 10.

The polishing machine 10 comprises a brush housing 12 which is adapted to be generally horizontal vw'th relation to the floor. A shaft 14 is pivotably secured at one end to an ear 16 on the housing 12. The housing 12 is provided with an ear 18 spaced from the ear 16 and in line therewith. A link 20 is pivotably secured at one end to the ear 18 by pin 22. The other end of the link 20 is pivotably secured to a sleeve 24. The sleeve 24 is slidably mounted on the shaft 14. The position of the sleeve 24 can be selectively fixed by manipulation of the lock handle 26.

The end of the shaft 14 remote from the brush housing 12 is provided with a handle 28. The handle 28 is provided with a trigger 29 and a pair of handle arms 30. The purpose of the trigger 29 will be disclosed hereinafter.

A sealed pressurized aerosol container 34 is removably mounted on the shaft 14 by brackets 34 and 36. The bracket 36 is provided with a tightening means 38 of known construction and per se forms no part of the present invention. Each of the brackets 34 and 36 are fixedly secured, such as by welding, to a clamp 40. Clamp 40 is releasab'ly secured to the shaft 14 by tightening means 42. If desired, a rubber sleeve 44 may be provided intermediate the container 32 and the brackets 34 and 36.

A motor 46 is provided. The motor 46 is provided with :an electrical receptacle 48. A cord 50 is selectively connectable with the electrical receptacle 48. The motor 46 is secured to a motor mount 52. The motor mount 52 is provided with a flange 54 fixedly secured in any conventional manner to the uppermost surface of the brush housing 12. The brush housing 12 is provided with a resilient bumper 56 extending therearound. The output shaft of the motor 46 is connected by conventional means (not shown) to a brush 58 for rotatably driving said brush. The brush 58 is disposed on a thin cleaning pad 60.

The container 32 is provided with an outlet 62. A manually operable valve 64 is provided in the outlet 62. A conduit 66 having one end in communication with the container 32 extends from the container 32 to the brush housing 12. Intermediate portions of the conduit 66 are supported by clamps 68. The conduit 66 is preferably made from flexible nylon.

The end of the conduit 66 remote from the container 32 is in communication with the inletside of valve 70. The valve 70 contains a spring biased valve member having a stem extending out of the housing for the valve 70. The valve 70 is fixedly secured to an uppermost surface of the brush housing 12 by fastening means cooperating 3 with the flange 72 on the valve 70. The outlet side of the valve 70 is provided with a nozzle 74. The nozzle 74 is a conventional aerosol nozzle and per se forms no part of the present invention.

The valve member which cooperates with the valve seat to control flow within the valve 70 is attached to a flexible actuator such as a Bowden wire 76. The Bowden wire 76 is provided with a flexible casing 78. The casing 78 is fixedly secured at spaced points by clamps 80. The casing 78 extends through a mounting plate 82 on the shaft 14 adjacent the handle 28. A handle 84 is fixedly secured to the end of the wire 76 remote from the valve 70.

The brush housing 12 is provided with wheels 86 pivotably mounted on a pin 88. The pin 88 is fixedly secured to a pivotable link 90. The link 90 is capable of being pivoted to a position whereby the weight of the machine 10 is supported by the brush 58.

The aerosol container 32 is provided with a wax solution dissolved in Freon 12 under eighty pounds per square inch of pressure. The formula for a wax which was found to provide satisfactory results had the following constituents: carnaub.a-%, candelilla1 /2%, paraffinl%, Congo guml%, Durex 2l9 1 /2, Tween 803%, Renex 202%, and water-85%. All percentages are by weight. All of these constituents are dissolved by the Freon 12 which is the propellant for dispensing the wax solution out of the container 32.

FIGURE 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention designated .as The container 32 is a sealed pressurized aerosol container of wax. The container 32 is removably clamped to the housing 12' by clamp 93. A conduit 96 has a coupling 94 at one end which is the conventional type wherein a valve on the container 32 is opened when the container 32' is attached to the coupling. The other end of conduit 96 is in communication with the inlet side of valve 98. A nozzle 74' is in communication with the outlet side of the valve 98.

The valve 98 is operated by the solenoid 100. The solenoid 100 has a lead wire 102 which extends through the shaft 14 to a button operated switch (not shown) on the handle 28. A lead wire 104 connects the solenoid 100 to the receptacle 48. A lead wire 106 connects the receptacle 48' to the button operated switch (not shown) on the handle 28.

The machine 10 is used in the same manner as the machine 10 when it is desired to dispense aerosolized wax foam on the floor, the operator need only push a button (not shown) on the handle 28. This will close a switch thereby enabling the current running the motor 46 to operate the solenoid 100 which controls the valve 98. A step-down transformer (not shown) between the receptacle 48 and the solenoid 100 is desired so that low voltage commercially available solenoids may be used. The container 32, like the container 32, is preferably mounted so the vibrations of the motor 46' are transmitted thereto so that the Freon 12 remains in solution. Of course, it will be appreciated that other propellants may be substituted for Freon 12. However, Freon 12 is preferred. The valve 98, like the valve 70, is fixedly secured to the housing 12.

The polishing machine 10 of the present invention is utilized in the following manner:

A commercially available abrasive pad 60 is disposed on a floor. The machine 10 is wheeled to the position of the pad 60 and positioned so that the brush 58 is disposed over the pad 60. The wheels 86 are pivoted so that the weight of the machine 10 is distributed to the brush 58. The lock handle 26 is loosened and the shaft 14 is pivoted with relation to the brush housing 12 to an angle as shown in FIGURE 1. The angle of the shaft 14 will depend upon the height and preferences of the operator. The flexibility of the conduit 66 and the casing 78 permits the pivotable movement of the shaft 14 with- 4- out interfering with the operativeness of the dispensing system.

When the shaft 14 has been positioned to the likeness and preferences of the operator, the lock handle 26 is then tightened. The end of the cord (not shown) is then plugged into an electrical receptacle. The operator will then open the valve 64 by digital manipulation. Then the operator will grasp the handle 84 with his fingers and exert an upward pull toward the handle arms 30. The pulling on the handle 84 causes the wire 76 to move the valve element in the valve 70 thereby permitting the wax solution to flow from the conduit 66 to the nozzle 74.

The opening of the valve 64 permits the wax solution to be dispensed from the container 32 under the pressure of the Freon 12 through the conduit 66 to a point adjacent the inlet side of the valve 70. The opening of the valve 70 permits the wax solution to be discharged from the nozzle 74 in the form of an aerosolized foam which is dispensed onto the floor adjacent the pad 60. The operator will then exert an upward pull on the trigger 29 with his fingers and thereby actuate the motor 46 which drivingly rotates the brush 58 and pad 60. The machine 10 is then manipulated by the operator so that the pad is disposed over the foam wax solution on the floor. The rotary movement of the brush 58 and pad 60 removes the old wax from the floor and polishes the floor with a continuous film of wax having a high luster. The Freon 12 which was in solution with the wax evaporates so that the rotary movement of the pad provides a continuous film of high luster wax instead of a series of minute spots of high luster wax. The wax solution will dry almost immediately so that a person may walk over the waxed portion of the floor. Thus, the waxing of the floor may be accomplished without interrupting the activities of persons utilizing the floor such as customers in a department store. Scuff marks are readily removed and the film of wax provided on the floor is noticeably devoid of any slippery characteristics. That is, the continuous film of wax is not slippery and thus does not present a danger for persons walking on said film immediately after being deposited.

After a small portion of the floor has been polished, the handle 84 is again manipulated so as to deposit a small amount of aerosolized foam wax on the floor adjacent to the polished portion. The operator will then manipulate the machine so as to clean and polish the next portion of the floor. This procedure is repeated until the entire floor or a large portion thereof has been cleaned and polished. Thereafter, the pad 60 will be removed and a buffing pad will be substituted therefor. Then the operator will buff the cleaned and polished portion of the floor.

Freon 12 is substantially an unstable fluid and tends to separate from the wax. The vibration from the motor 46 is transmitted to the aerosol container 32 so as to maintain the Freon 12 in solution with the wax. The Freon 12 must remain in solution with the wax so as to obtain the high luster on the floor and so that the wax solut1on may be dispensed in the form of an aerosolized foam. The valve 64 is provided as an integral part of the container 32. The valve 64 is required since the contamer 32 must be replaced when all of its contents have been dispensed. The valve is required since it is necessary to have an accurate control over the wax solution adjacent the nozzle 74 and thereby prevent wasting of the wax solution. The provision of a actuator handle for the valve 70 adjacent the handle 28 for the machine 10 enables an operator to control the movements of the machine 10 and at the same time dispense an aerosolized wax foam on the floor adjacent the machine 10.

While the valve 70 has been shown as having a flexible Bowden wire actuator 76, it will be appreciated that other types of actuators may be substituted therefor. For example, the valve 70 may be provided with a chain actuator or a rod actuator. The actuator for the valve 70 should extend substantially parallel to the shaft 14 and be provided with a handle adjacent the handle 28. As seen more clearly in FIGURE 2, the shaft 14 is provided with a bore through which the cord 92 extends. The cord 92 extends between the trigger 29 and the motor 46 so that the motor 46 may be actuated by the trigger 29.

The provision of the rubber sleeve 44 provides a resilient mount for the container 32. If desired, the container 32 may be secured directly to the shaft 14 or the housing for the motor 46.

Thus, it will be seen that the applicant has provided a polishing machine having an aerosol dispenser of wax mounted thereon. The wax is adapted to be dispensed onto a floor adjacent the machine in the form of an aerosolized wax foam. The machine 10 in cooperation with the pad 60 removes the dirt, scuff marks and old wax while simultaneously applying the wax foam to the floor as a continuous film of wax. The continuous film of wax is capable of drying almost immediately and thereby permits persons to walk on the newly waxed portion of the floor without slipping, When the newly waxed portion is buffed, a high luster, long lasting continuous film of wax is provided on the floor. Thus, the methods used heretofore involving mops, pails, etc. for cleaning of floors and the removal of the scuff marks and old wax can be eliminated. The present machine enables the floors of a building to be cleaned and polished at the same time during business hours without interruption of the activities on the floors in said buildings.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a polishing machine comprising a brush housing rotatably supporting a brush disposed therebelow, a shaft extending from said housing, said shaft being pivotably secured to said housing, a handle on said shaft, a sealed pressurized aerosol container for a floor finishing agent fixedly mounted relative to said shaft, a conduit having one end in communication with the interior of said container, a first valve means in said conduit adjacent said container, said conduit extending from said container to said brush housing, a second valve means in said conduit adjacent said housing, said second valve means being fixedly secured to said housing, an actuator for said second valve means extending toward said handle from said second valve means, a nozzle on the outlet end of said second valve means, the outlet of said nozzle being directed in a direction so that the floor finishing agent from said container is dispensed under pressure as an aerosolized foam on a floor adjacent to but spaced from said housing when said valves are in their opened position.

2. In a polishing machnie in accordance with claim 1 including a means on said brush housing for selectively vibrating said container.

3. In a polishing machine in accordance with claim 2 wherein said vibrating means is a motor, said motor being structurally interconnected with said brush for rotatably driving the same.

4. In a polishing machine in accordance with claim 3 wherein said container is resiliently mounted on said shaft.

5. In a polishing machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said actuator for said second valve means inchides a Bowden wire.

6. In a polishing machine comprising a brush housing, a brush beneath said housing, a motor mounted on said housing, means connecting said motor to said brush for rotating said brush, means connected to said motor for operating the same, a shaft extending from said housing, said shaft being pivotably secured at one end to said housing, a handle on the other end of said shaft, means adjacent said handle for initiating operation of said motor, a sealed pressurized aerosol container for a Freon containing wax solution, a conduit fixedly secured at one end to said container and in communication with the interior of said container, a first valve means adjacent said container for controlling flow through said conduit, said conduit extending from said container to said housing, a second valve means in said conduit adjacent the other end thereof, a nozzle at the outlet end of said second valve means, an actuator extending from said second valve means toward said handle, said nozzle being directed beyond the periphery of said housing so that wax is dispensed under pressure as an aerosolized foam on a floor adjacent said housing when said valves are open.

7. In a polishing machine in accordance with claim 6 including brackets removably mounting said container on said shaft, said actuator for said second valve means having a portion extending through a plate on said shaft.

8. In a polishing machine in accordance with claim 6 wherein said conduit includes a flexible portion, and said second valve means being fixedly secured to said housing adjacent a periphery of said housing.

9. Apparatus comprising a floor polisher, said floor polisher including a brush housing, a handle connected to said housing by a shaft, rotary brushes mounted beneath said housing, a motor on said housing operatively connected to said brushes for rotating said brushes about an upright axis, said brush being adapted to support the weight of said housing and motor, a pad beneath said brush, and a sealed pressurized aerosol container for a floor finishing agent on said floor polisher, a conduit having one end in communication with said container, a selectively operable valve adjacent the other end of said conduit, said valve being secured to said housing, an operator for said valve, said operator including a portion extending toward said handle so that said valve may be selectively operated from a point remote from said valve, and a nozzle on the outlet end of said valve for dispensing said finishing agent under pressure as an aerosolized foam on a floor adjacent to but spaced from said housing when said valve is open.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein the discharge propellant for said finishing agent is a Freon gas, said Freon gas being maintained in a solution with said finishing agent by the vibratory motion of said motor.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said container is removably mounted on said brush housing adjacent said motor.

12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein said valve is a solenoid operated valve and said operator including electrical wires adapted to be connected to a switch on said handle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,039,903 Hild May 5, 1936 2,333,829 Terry Nov. 9, 1943 2,384,458 Dubay Sept. 11, 1945 

